Retired judges appointed to replace suspended Jefferson County probate judge
Yashiba Blanchard has been temporarily stripped of her role following allegations of bias, harassment and failure to follow the law. Two retired judges will oversee the office.
Mason Reed 
The Jefferson County probate office is under new leadership as two retired judges step in to fill the vacancy left by the recent suspension of Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard.
New Appointments Sworn In
Presiding Judge Elisabeth French has officially appointed retired Probate Judge Sherri Coleman Friday and retired Circuit Judge Carole Smitherman to oversee the office. Friday was named Special Probate Judge on Thursday, while Smitherman received her appointment on Friday afternoon to serve as the Special Probate Judge and Chief Elections Official for Jefferson County. According to orders issued by Judge French, both jurists have already been sworn in.
Allegations Lead to Suspension
The leadership change follows a formal complaint filed against Blanchard by the Judicial Inquiry Commission. The 120-page document alleges a pattern of misconduct, including claims that the first-term judge failed to follow the law, demonstrated bias against attorneys, and engaged in harassment and retaliation toward her staff.
The commission's complaint explicitly states that Blanchard's actions have "degraded the public’s confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and brought the judicial office into disrepute." Under the Alabama Constitution, the filing of such proceedings triggers an automatic temporary suspension for the judge in question.
Returning to the Bench
The appointed judges bring significant experience back to the courthouse. Carole Smitherman, a former longtime Birmingham City Council member, retired from her circuit court position last year. Sherri Coleman Friday also concluded her tenure on the bench last year before being tapped for this temporary role at 205focus.com reporting.
